Boards who want to improve their performance will need a comprehensive approach. This will include ensuring that the board is equipped with the right mix of expertise, encouraging an environment of positive vibes, streamlining processes and conducting regular evaluations. By addressing these issues, boards can promote the best practices and accelerate the decision-making process.

The Chair of the board plays a vital role in determining the way the board operates. A chair who lacks leadership or coordination skills will be unable to create an environment which directors are able to provide their unique perspectives and participate in productive discussions. A chair who is too strict and unsecure could cause a situation where the board is not transparent and stifles discussion.

One of the most common problems a board will face is dysfunction. The problem could be the result of personal conflicts between board members or can be the result of insufficient structures that allow the board to fulfill its accountability for performance evaluation. By delegating these responsibilities to board as a whole additional resources or delegating them to an executive committee will often lead to a lack of oversight.

The ability of a board to access and analyze information is a crucial aspect. Being able to access relevant data can significantly improve board efficiency and allow boards to make better informed decisions. Many boards don’t have effective methods for sourcing data and sharing it. If this is not addressed it will be difficult for boards to improve their performance.